[Halifax] The Maple | 72 m | 21 fl | Completed

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

I distinctly remember a time when I was very young (maybe 4 or 5?) going to see the musical "Cats" with my mum in downtown Halifax. We stopped on the way to watch a wrecking ball take down a building. I wonder if it was this one. It would have been 1991 or 1992.

Now that I think of it, I seem to recall that those buildings were still there in the late '80s on my walks between TUNS and the ferry. So perhaps the early '90s is correct for their demolition - I don't know for sure.

[Duff]

[IanWatson]

On Saturday I was driving past the Maple and there was a small (maybe 10?) group of people outside protesting. I was moving too fast to read their signs, other than to see the words "South West Properties". Anyone else happen to see what was up?

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

On Saturday I was driving past the Maple and there was a small (maybe 10?) group of people outside protesting. I was moving too fast to read their signs, other than to see the words "South West Properties". Anyone else happen to see what was up?

Striking Herald workers?

[sneakyzero]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

On Saturday I was driving past the Maple and there was a small (maybe 10?) group of people outside protesting. I was moving too fast to read their signs, other than to see the words "South West Properties". Anyone else happen to see what was up?

When I drove by, the workers (I assume) had signs that said "Southwest Properties not paying us" and "Honk to show your support".

[Jonovision]

20170501_102239_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[robotropolis]

The Maple has really grown on me as it gets finishing touches. I like the high contrast geometry and repetition of the narrow black trim on the windows, doors, balconies. It's an 80s grid effect but in a charming way. An understated building, but I welcome the cohesiveness and restraint. Just happy there are no fluorescent green balconies.

[OldDartmouthMark]

I too have become more fond of it as the finishing touches are applied. It has turned out much better than I was thinking it would just a few months ago.

[Jonovision]

20170509_122628 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[RoshanMcG]

[mleblanc]

The overall building did turn out great and is an amazing addition to the downtown core, but I'm still a little disappointed on the choice of materials used for the southern curved wall. If Southwest stayed more true to the renderings and made it a sleek curtain wall with an impressive architectural feature (which if I recall correctly was a reason for variance for the Citadel's view pane, looks like they squeezed another Penthouse unit into it) on the top, this could've been a great icon for the Halifax skyline

[Jonovision]

Originally Posted by mleblanc

The overall building did turn out great and is an amazing addition to the downtown core, but I'm still a little disappointed on the choice of materials used for the southern curved wall. If Southwest stayed more true to the renderings and made it a sleek curtain wall with an impressive architectural feature (which if I recall correctly was a reason for variance for the Citadel's view pane, looks like they squeezed another Penthouse unit into it) on the top, this could've been a great icon for the Halifax skyline

I agree, it would have been much nicer to see some proper curtain wall on the front feature of the building. And I am not pleased that they changed the columns on the podium from a dark brick to whatever wood or cement board they ended up using.

There was no viewplane variance on this development. There has never been any viewplane variances granted since they were imposed in the 70s. This tower's variance had to do with its width. This tower is significantly wider than what is typically allowed under the newer development rules. In this case I don't think that variance was worth the pedestrian staircase that we got for it.

[RoshanMcG]

From today during Doors Open:

[Jonovision]

It still bothers me that they didn't use black masonry on the columns of the podium. I also take issue with the detailing that never quite lines up on new projects.

20170705_153352 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

20170705_153512 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

20170705_153526 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

20170705_153408 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[OldDartmouthMark]

It's also too bad that nobody has figured out what to do with the crappy-looking unfinished concrete on the bottom side of the balconies that are extremely visible to anybody looking up at a tall building.

It almost makes me wonder why they bother with cladding at all since this sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb and makes the building look perpetually unfinished.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

It's also too bad that nobody has figured out what to do with the crappy-looking unfinished concrete on the bottom side of the balconies that are extremely visible to anybody looking up at a tall building.

It almost makes me wonder why they bother with cladding at all since this sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb and makes the building look perpetually unfinished.

Yes, the unfinished concrete is unappealing.

[scryer]

I've been away for a while; just coming back.

This building looks amazing!! It really adds some width and city-feel to Halifax. Good job.

[Drybrain]

I biked by the finished product for the first time yesterday. I still have reservations about the fact that it doesn't seem to have much in the way of storefront units, unless I'm missing something. Anything that meets the sidewalk that massively without being broken up is missing our on some of its urbanizing potential. And the finishing materials could be better.

But I still like it, aesthetically. It's different than anything else in the city, certainly, and I like the hard angles at street level.

[yal]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

It's also too bad that nobody has figured out what to do with the crappy-looking unfinished concrete on the bottom side of the balconies that are extremely visible to anybody looking up at a tall building.

It almost makes me wonder why they bother with cladding at all since this sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb and makes the building look perpetually unfinished.

Now you said it, it is all I see haha.. This is a textbook example of doing a half-ass job.

[Jonovision]

The pedestrian path around the back of the building is now open. It is quite nice. Still needs a few finishing touches. However as I showed in the last picture there are still some areas where the details are very poorly done.

20170711_211904 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

Also the old Bank of Canada logo that was taken from the previous building is now on display.

20170711_212223 by Jonovision23, on Flickr